HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Queens University of Charlotte women's basketball team dropped a tightly contested matchup against the Coker University Cobras, 66-62, Thursday afternoon in Hartsville. Sophomore guard Kalaya Hall (11 points) connected from long-range at the top of the key to get within two, but Coker's Emily Davis (nine points) sealed the win at the free-throw line. Despite the loss, this Royals squad has shown they're prepared to give maximum effort through the final buzzer.

"I'm extremely proud of the resiliency my young women showed tonight," said first-year head coach Jen Brown. "They are learning to play with each other as we all build trust. We all know this isn't a quick fix. We just have to trust the process. The best is yet to come."

Three players scored in double-figures for Queens (0-2, 0-2 SAC). Freshman guard Kristy Hamze led all players with 21 points, along with four assists, three rebounds and three steals. Junior forward Christina Deng dominated the low-post, recording her first double-double with the Royals, netting 11 points and 15 rebounds. Kalaya Hall added 11 points and three assists. Senior Kristian Eanes had a near double-double of nine points and seven rebounds in just over 23 minutes. 

"I challenged Christina before the game and she responded with 15 rebounds," Brown added. "She had great activity on the boards all night. We will need more of that on a consistent basis from her." 

Queens opened the game with a 7-0 run. Hamze, coming off a 23-point collegiate debut, scored five quick points including a bank-shot from three-point range. 

Ahlea Myers (seven points) registered five-straight points for the Cobras to cut the lead to two at 11-9. Hall added four points in the opening frame to keep Queens in the lead. 

In the second, the teams traded early buckets, with Coker (1-3, 1-3 SAC) knocking down a pull-up triple followed by a floater in the lane by Ashauntee Nelson (six points). The Royals kept up the pace, creating a 5-0 run to go up 23-18. 

Saquita Joyner (team-best 10 points) caught fire for Coker just before the Half. The junior forward scored eight consecutive points for the Cobras, but a spot-up three at the horn from Taylor Stevens (five points) kept the Royals ahead at the break, 30-28. 

A slow start for both teams coming out of the locker room, but the sides found their footing and applied pressure on both ends. Deng scored seven of her 11 points in the quarter, while Eanes and Hall handled the ball well with some crucial buckets to keep the Royals ahead. With Hamze on the bench with three fouls, Queens was able to keep the momentum and remained in front, 45-42, ahead of the final period. 

The fourth quarter provided no rest for the weary, as this battle went down to the final whistle. With a 7-0 run, Coker stretched their lead to four at 49-45. A late travel call against Coley cost Coker an easy bucket, giving the Royals a boost of a sign of life. Eanes drove the lane for a fastbreak layup and the game was tied at 52. 

Hamze ended another Cobra 7-0 run with a clutch three-pointer with 38 seconds left in regulation. Deng grabbed her 15th rebound and scored the putback to get within two, 59-57 with 28 seconds remaining. Coker went 6-for-7 from the foul line to seal the win. 

Up Next
The Royals make their season debut inside Curry Arena for their home opener vs. Anderson University (S.C.). Opening tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. Coverage will be provided by the Queens Sports Network.